Former Calvinist shares likes/dislikes RE Calvinism/Calvinists

SBCToday contacted Billy Stevens yesterday for permission to link to his informative, engaging, revealing and gracious blog post, “Calvinism and Calvinists.” Rev. Stevens — pastor for discipleship at FBC Houma, La., – is a former Calvinist, even a hyper-Calvinist. As such he, like former Calvinist Ronnie Rogers, is uniquely qualified to write and opine as he does.

His blog post resonates with SBCToday, and should with anyone who has interest in the topic now dominating the SBC.

To whet your whistle, see the blog’s outline below.

And, thank you, Pastor Stevens, for granting permission to re-post your ESSAY.

FIVE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT CALVINISM

 1.  Emphasis on the Sovereignty of God.

 2. Calvinism holds to its center piece the marvelous atoning work of Christ on the Cross.

 3.  Calvinism teaches that Grace is radically necessary.

 4.  Calvinism teaches that true believers will persevere.

 5.  Calvinism seeks to answer some very difficult questions in Scripture.

 WHAT I LIKE ABOUT CALVINISTS

 1.  Calvinists have a high view of Scripture!

 2.  Calvinists study the Bible!

 3.  Calvinists are Thinkers!

 4.  Calvinists are Passionate!

 5.  Calvinists know what they believe.

 6.  Calvinists evangelize because Jesus told them to.

WHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT CALVINISM

 1.  Philosophical jumps.

 2.  Determinism and Compatibalistic Determinism.

 3.  Lack of Scriptural Basis for Conclusions:

 4.  Either Calvinism or Arminianism.

 5.  Implications for Ministry.

 a.  Death of a child:

 b.  Evangelism:

 c.  Sluffing-off on Sovereignty:

 6.  Calvin did not hold to this form of Calvinism.

 7.  Wrath/Anger as an Attribute of God.

8.  Over-emphasis on the Sovereignty of God.

 WHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT SOME CALVINISTS

 1.  Calvinism is the Gospel.

 2. Arrogance.

 3. Some Calvinists are Very ANGRY.

 4. Some Calvinists are Groupies.

 5.  Some Calvinists are Deceptive about what they believe.

 6. Some Calvinists’ theological understand is nothing but a book report.

 7.  Poor Hermeneutic.

 8.  Some Calvinists are not balanced.

FIVE REASONS FOR THE RESURGENCE IN CALVINISM

 1.  Pure Hearts.

 2.  Loving God with your mind.

 3.  Popular Writers.

 4.  Honest Rebellion.

 5.  Unanswered Questions.

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